2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2025 volume GLE 350 4MATIC (W167, a carry-over year before the 2027-MY facelift) uses the 2.0L turbo I4 with 48V mild-hybrid assist at 255 hp; the 450 I6, 580 V8 and AMG models scale the range well above that.

The volume turbo I4 produces 295 lb-ft; the lineup scales through the I6 450 and V8 580 to the AMG 63 S.

Mercedes-published 0–60 for the 2025 GLE 350 4MATIC is 7.0 s, about average for a four-cylinder mid-size luxury SUV and well behind six-cylinder rivals.

The 48V mild-hybrid integration makes stop-start and launches smooth, but reviewers describe the volume 2.0L four as adequate and somewhat coarse under hard throttle; the I6 450 is the class-benchmark smooth option.

The 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic shifts smoothly and decisively in most driving, with occasional hesitation on part-throttle kickdowns noted by testers.

The GLE is rated to tow 7,700 lbs with the available trailer hitch, at the top of the mid-size luxury SUV class.

4MATIC AWD is fitted to every 2025 trim except the base RWD GLE 350, and is the volume configuration; Dynamic Select terrain modes and an optional Off-Road package add sophistication.

Pavement-oriented luxury SUV, but the optional Off-Road Engineering Package with AIRMATIC air suspension adds ride-height lift, underbody protection and extra terrain modes for light trail use.

One of the broadest lineups in the class: turbo I4 mild hybrid (350, RWD or AWD), turbo I6 mild hybrid (450), plug-in hybrid (450e), twin-turbo V8 mild hybrid (580), plus AMG 53 and AMG 63 S.

The volume 2025 GLE 350 4MATIC is EPA-rated at 22 MPG combined, typical for a four-cylinder mid-size luxury SUV.

EPA city rating for the volume GLE 350 4MATIC is 19 MPG.

EPA highway rating for the volume GLE 350 4MATIC is 26 MPG.

Computed from the 22.5-gallon tank and the 22 MPG EPA combined rating; the large tank gives the GLE a competitive cruising range.

EPA's current annual fuel cost estimate for the premium-fuel GLE 350 4MATIC is $3,650, at the expensive end of the SUV range.

The GLE 350's turbo I4 requires premium unleaded, as do the other GLE gas engines, adding a lasting per-mile cost.

NHTSA has issued no overall star rating for the 2025 GLE — the 2025 model isn't listed in NCAP at all, and the 2024 record (same W167 facelift) shows Overall and Frontal 'Not Rated'. Its partial results are strong (5-star side, 4-star rollover), but without a frontal test there is no overall rating, so the value is 0.

The 2025 GLE earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ with Good ratings in every crash test, including the updated moderate overlap and updated side tests. The award applies only with the optional pedestrian front crash prevention system.

AEB (Active Brake Assist), Blind Spot Assist, front/rear parking sensors and Attention Assist come standard. Adaptive cruise, lane keeping/centering and evasive steering sit in the $1,950 Driver Assistance Package, which is stingy at this price.

IIHS rates the system middling: Acceptable in the tougher vehicle-to-vehicle 2.0 test, and only Marginal for the standard pedestrian system. The optional package brings pedestrian detection up to Acceptable.

Blind Spot Assist with exit warning comes standard. Active (braking) blind-spot intervention and front cross-traffic functions need the optional packages.

With the option fitted, Active Steering Assist centers confidently on marked highways and adds automated lane changes. Reviewers note some intervention at lane edges, and only lane departure warning is available without the package.

DISTRONIC, with route-based speed adaptation, Active Speed Limit Assist and extended stop-and-go restart, is one of the most refined ACC systems in the class. It loses points for being optional.

The 2025 GLE has no hands-free highway mode — Mercedes' Drive Pilot is limited to the S-Class and EQS. That trails rivals offering BlueCruise (Nautilus), Super Cruise (Cadillac) and BMW's Highway Assistant (X5).

IIHS rates the headlights Good on every trim — both the standard LED reflectors and the Advanced Lighting projectors — with high-beam assist standard.

Forward and side sightlines are good for the class, but thick D-pillars pinch the rear-quarter view. Standard parking sensors and a rear camera, plus an available 360° camera, make up for much of it.

IIHS rates the LATCH hardware Good for ease of use. Wide rear doors and a roomy second row make it easy to fit two child seats.

The volume 2025 GLE 350 4MATIC seats five; an optional power-folding third row raises capacity to seven but is a minority configuration and kid-sized.

Manufacturer-published front headroom for the 2025 GLE 350; dealer EVOX feeds quote 42.3 in (likely a no-roof measurement), but the MBUSA figure is used.

Front legroom is at the low end of the SUV band; adequate for most drivers but trails roomier three-row rivals.

Second-row headroom as published by Mercedes is modest for a mid-size SUV; dealer feeds quoting 40.4 in conflict with the manufacturer figure, which wins.

Generous second-row legroom courtesy of the long 117.9-in wheelbase — a genuine GLE strength.

An optional third row exists but has only ~29 in of legroom — children only, and it consumes most cargo space when raised; the volume five-seat GLE has none. Reviewers steer regular third-row buyers to the GLS, XC90 or MDX.

Cargo behind the second row is competitive with the X5 but behind the XC90 and three-row rivals in the peer group.

Maximum cargo with the 40/20/40 second row folded is mid-pack for mid-size luxury SUVs.

Useful center console, door bins and front wireless-charging tray, plus 40/20/40 split rear seats for pass-through; competent but nothing segment-leading.

Front seats are widely praised for support and adjustability, with available multicontour/massage seats; the rear bench is comfortable and sliding/reclining with the third-row package.

Smooth and quiet on most surfaces, especially with optional AIRMATIC air suspension; the standard steel-spring GLE 350 can jiggle over broken pavement, trailing the plushest rivals.

Consistently described as hushed at highway speed thanks to thorough insulation; among the quieter cabins in the class.

Heated power front seats and dual-zone climate are standard; ventilated and massage seats, heated steering wheel/armrests, heated rear seats and four-zone climate are optional or on upper trims, plus remote pre-conditioning via the app.

The 2025 GLE still offers a rear-drive GLE 350 as the entry point at $61,850 before destination, close to the top of the SUV band.

KBB names the GLE 350 4MATIC as the historically most popular trim; dealer stock typically carries the Premium package and option extras, putting it around $70k, above the SUV band ceiling.

Mercedes Service A/B intervals are expensive and there is no included maintenance; KBB projects a large year-4 service spike. Repairs are mostly covered by the 4-year warranty, so maintenance dominates.

Large German luxury SUVs depreciate steeply in the US, and the lease-heavy GLE floods the 3–5-year used market; retention is below mainstream SUVs and Lexus.

Mercedes-Benz USA's new-vehicle limited warranty is 4 years/50,000 miles, the same as BMW and Audi but shorter than Genesis's 5/60.

Mercedes has no separate longer powertrain warranty, so the gas GLE's drivetrain coverage ends with the 4/50 basic warranty, below the segment's 5-year floor.

There's no complimentary scheduled maintenance, which BMW, Genesis and Volvo all include. Perks are limited to roadside assistance for the warranty term and a Mercedes me connect trial period.

$70,500 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (43% retained, or about $30,315) leaves about $40,185 in depreciation. Add the projected $10,700 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $50,885 in total.

Consumer Reports rates the 2025 GLE's predicted reliability below the average new car, built on 2022 and 2024 owner data from the carry-over W167 generation. Problem areas include brakes, electrical accessories, fuel system, climate system and transmission. J.D. Power's 2025 GLE page lists owner-reported 90-day issues but gives no standout quality score.

In J.D. Power VDS and Consumer Reports brand rankings, Mercedes-Benz sits mid-pack to lower-mid. It ranks above Land Rover and Jaguar but well behind Lexus and generally behind BMW.

NHTSA lists three small-population campaigns touching the 2025 GLE: a windshield camera/mirror attachment fix, a missing center rear-belt child-seat guard, and a passenger frontal airbag cushion issue mostly on 2026 units. None is a powertrain or fire recall. The wider W167 generation has seen more activity (sunroof, 48V ISG, electrical) and MBUX-related TSBs, so it scores mid-band.

The volume GLE 350 uses the 2.0L turbo four (M254 with 48V mild hybrid) and the proven 9G-Tronic automatic. The GLE 450's M256 inline-six has a solid reputation since 2018. CR flags fuel-system and transmission complaints, which keeps this out of the top band.

For the mid-size luxury class the cabin materials are among the best: open-pore wood, metal trim and widespread soft-touch surfaces. Reviewers rank it alongside the BMW X5 and Audi Q7.

Assembly is solid, with tight panel gaps and consistent trim. Scattered owner reports of squeaks, rattles and MBUX glitches, plus CR-flagged electrical-accessory issues, keep it below the class's best.

Mercedes-Benz has one of the densest luxury dealer networks in the US, about 380 dealers, with mature service operations. Its J.D. Power service satisfaction is competitive within the luxury segment.

The dealer network keeps parts readily available, but Mercedes repair and maintenance costs are among the industry's highest. Air suspension, MBUX and sensor-heavy components are largely dealer-only.

The 2024 facelift brought a standard 12.3-inch central touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch driver display; carried over unchanged for 2025.

Second-generation MBUX is fast with sharp graphics and AR navigation, but menus are dense and the touch-sensitive steering-wheel pads draw criticism versus physical controls.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto arrived with the 2024 facelift and are standard on the 2025 GLE (MY2027 later moved them to a paid 'Digital Extra').

'Hey Mercedes' natural-language assistant is among the best in the segment, and native navigation offers augmented-reality turn guidance.

Base audio is decent; the optional Burmester 3D surround system with Dolby Atmos is excellent, and the Burmester High-End 4D system is available on upper trims.

A configurable 12.3-inch fully digital driver display with multiple styles and modes is standard.

MBUX receives OTA infotainment and map updates plus select feature updates, but whole-vehicle OTA is narrower than on Mercedes' newer MB.OS/EQ products.

Mercedes me app covers remote start, climate, lock/unlock and locate, with a Digital Vehicle Key available; several features become subscription-based after the trial.

Multiple USB-C ports across both rows and standard front wireless charging; no household AC outlet.

KEYLESS-GO proximity entry, push-button start, app remote start and a power liftgate are standard; hands-free liftgate and phone-as-key are available.

Reversing camera and parking sensors are standard; the 360° camera with Active Parking Assist is optional (Parking Package) or on upper trims.

A large full-color head-up display is available on the GLE 350 via option package but is not standard.

Wide rear door openings, generous 40.9-in rear legroom and LATCH on the outboard seats ease car-seat duty; 33.3 cu ft behind row two fits a stroller. The optional third row is kids-only and eats cargo space.

Standard automatic emergency braking, blind-spot assist and attention assist, with strong crash credentials; adaptive cruise and lane-centering require the Driver Assistance Package, an extra cost.

Quiet cabin, spacious reclining rear seat and a mid-size cargo hold make multi-hour trips easy; heated rear seats and four-zone climate are optional rather than standard.

The 48V mild-hybrid 2.0T and 9G-TRONIC are smooth in traffic with seamless stop/start, and the cabin is low-fatigue; occasional low-speed shift hesitation and a high beltline are minor annoyances.

19/26 mpg city/highway on premium fuel is average for a gas luxury SUV and well behind hybrid rivals like the RX 350h; Mercedes maintenance, tires and insurance are costly.

A 193.9-in footprint and 39.5-ft turning circle are manageable; the 360° camera and Active Parking Assist help but are optional, and the high beltline makes the corners hard to judge.

A 7,700-lb tow rating with the optional hitch is strong for the class, but the 255-hp four-cylinder of the volume trim has less reserve under load than the six-cylinder GLE 450, and there is no bed.

A solid unibody, but luxury-oriented interior materials, complex electronics and below-average brand dependability make it a poor fit for hard use, with steep out-of-warranty repairs.

Roof rails, cargo tie-downs, a 12V outlet and a factory hitch cover the basics; no 120V inverter, no washable cargo surfaces from the factory and no upfit ecosystem.

Quiet cabin, supportive seats and available DISTRONIC adaptive cruise with active lane change make it a strong mile-eater; 26 mpg highway on a ~22.5-gal tank gives roughly 500+ miles of highway range.

Standard 4MATIC, an off-road drive program, optional AIRMATIC ride-height adjustment and a 7,700-lb tow rating handle gravel roads and toy trailers; no low range or locking differentials.

40/20/40 split rear seats, a power liftgate, roof rails and an available hitch give good flexibility; 33.3/74.9 cu ft is mid-pack and underfloor space is limited.

The GLE 350 4MATIC is secure and composed but tuned for comfort; at ~4,900 lb it feels heavy and less agile than the BMW X5 or Porsche Cayenne. AIRMATIC tightens body control.

Accurate and well-weighted but numb on center with little feedback — typical Mercedes tuning that favors low effort.

Firm, linear pedal and stops in the mid-170-ft range from 70 mph, competitive for a heavy mid-size luxury SUV.

The 255-hp 2.0T with 48V integrated starter-generator delivers smooth torque fill and near-imperceptible stop/start; the 9G-TRONIC shifts unobtrusively, with only occasional low-speed hesitation.

The four-cylinder is well isolated and quiet in normal driving, though less silky than the GLE 450's inline-six and a bit gruff when worked hard.

Mercedes publishes 39.5 ft for the GLE 350 4MATIC — wall-to-wall, so curb-to-curb is slightly tighter; average for the class.

Wide seat and wheel adjustment and a commanding view; the touch-heavy MBUX and capacitive steering-wheel controls trade tactile precision for style.

The volume GLE 350 is a polished, quiet cruiser — pleasant but forgettable; enthusiasts look to the AMG GLE 53/63 or the Cayenne.

Even the base GLE 350 gets the 2024 facelift's dual 12.3-inch MBUX screens, the 48V mild-hybrid turbo-four, a panoramic roof, LED headlights, and wireless CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the full driver-assistance suite, Burmester audio, a head-up display, and air suspension all cost extra, while the Genesis GV80 includes more as standard for less money.

Fair value for a top-tier luxury brand: a refined cabin and strong tech. KBB's Fair Purchase Price runs about 10% below MSRP, but option-heavy builds quickly move past $70k, while the GV80 and Lexus RX offer more per dollar. The GLE 450e plug-in at the same price as the GLE 450 helps value.

This is one of the widest lineups in the class: a GLE 350 in RWD or 4MATIC form, the GLE 450 inline-six, the 450e plug-in, the GLE 580 V8, and the AMG GLE 53 and 63 S. That spans roughly $63k to $130k+, with optional third-row seating and extensive packages.

The GLE is one of Mercedes-Benz USA's highest-volume models and a podium seller among mid-size luxury SUVs alongside the BMW X5 and Lexus RX. It outsells the Q7, XC90 and GV80.

The three-pointed star remains one of the most aspirational luxury badges in the US, which supports buyer satisfaction, although it does little to help resale here.

Mercedes-Benz Financial regularly offers subvented leases with loyalty and conquest cash on the GLE, and dealers discount stock units. KBB's Fair Purchase Price sits about $6.6k under MSRP on the GLE 350 4MATIC. Leases on the 450e can pass through the $7,500 commercial clean-vehicle credit.

The W167 generation launched for the 2020 model year and got its mid-cycle refresh for 2024, so 2025 is a carry-over year at mid-to-late cycle. Wikipedia records a further facelift for the 2027 model year, so the design is current but no longer new.

Reviewers consistently praise its interior quality, refinement, and the 450e's electric range. It ranks well in US News' luxury mid-size SUV list but rarely wins head-to-head tests against the BMW X5 or Genesis GV80, and won no 10Best award this cycle.